Pierce helps Celtics beat Heat in 2 OTs

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BOSTON Paul Pierce hit a go-ahead jumper with 31 seconds left, and the Boston Celtics beat the Miami Heat, 100-98, in double overtime Sunday after learning that All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

This game was the first in Boston for Ray Allen since he left the Celtics after five seasons and signed as a free agent with Miami. He scored 21 points.

Kevin Garnett had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Pierce added 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for the Celtics, who ended a six-game losing streak, their longest in six seasons. LeBron James had 34 points for the Heat, whose winning streak stopped at four.

Pierce's basket gave the Celtics a 99-98 lead. James had a chance to put the Heat ahead but missed a 12-foot jumper with 6.8 seconds to go from the left.

The Heat also could have won in the first OT, but Dwyane Wade also missed a long jumper as the buzzer sounded. They had led 93-89 after consecutive baskets by James, but Garnett hit a layup with 1:45 left and a shot from the right baseline with 1:14 to go.

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